Elton John's devastating health battles – '24 hours from death' to losing eyesight

Sir Elton told shocked fans that he has lost his sight (Image: Getty)

Sir Elton John left fans concerned after he shared he had lost his eysight during a live stage appearance. The 77-year-old music icon was introducing the West End show 'The Devil Wears Prada' when he confessed to the audience that he "lost his eyesight and can't see the stage".

Following his candid revelation at the London event, where he was accompanied by his husband David Furnish, messages of support flooded in from his devoted followers. The 'Rocket Man' singer has faced numerous health challenges over time.

In a heartfelt social media post in October, Elton shared: "To be honest with you, there's not much of me left. I don't have tonsils, adenoids or an appendix. I don't have a prostate. I don't have a right hip or a left knee or a right knee. In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip. But I'm still here."

As fans and celebrities send their best wishes to the 'I'm Still Standing' legend, the Mirror delved into the full extent of his health struggles, including his recent ordeal with vision impairment...

TAKEN WITH PERMISSIONSir Elton John tells West End crowd 'I've lost my eyesight and cannot see the stage' - but tells The Devil Wear Prada cast they 'sounded great' before being led off by husband David Furnish amid his sudden battle with blindness (Image: tiktok.com/@aeronjamesuk)

Struggle with Vision Loss

Elton announced his battle with vision loss after suffering from an infection during a vacation in the South of France. In an Instagram post in September, he revealed: "Over the summer, I've been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye. I am healing, but it's an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye."

"I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family, who have taken such good care of me over the last several weeks. I have been quietly spending the summer recuperating at home, and am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery thus far. With love and gratitude."

However, the star confessed his condition had not improved during a theatre appearance over the weekend, revealing to fans: "I've lost my eyesight and cannot see the stage."

The singer, born Reginald Dwight, was awarded a knighthood in 1998 (Image: Getty)

He continued: "As some of you may know I have had issues and now I have lost my sight. I haven't been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it. To my husband who's been my rock because I haven't been able to come to many of the previews... it's hard for me to see it but I love to hear it and it sounded good tonight OK. Thank you for coming! "

Appendix woes

Elton was forced to postpone shows on his summer tour after being diagnosed with appendicitis in 2013.

His representative stated: "Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates. To know that he made such superhuman efforts and continued to perform to thousands through his illness only confirms his dedication to his European fans" and "He is eager to be back on top form and return to play the remaining shows starting in early September 2013."

The Your Song star underwent surgery to remove his appendix in July 2013.

Sir Elton married civil partner David Furnish in 2014 (Image: Getty)

Diabetes

Elton, a father of two, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the early 2000s. He recently revealed on Lady Ruth Rogers' Ruthie's Table 4 podcast that he had drastically altered his diet to manage his blood sugar levels, admitting it had been a "long time" since he'd indulged in a sweet treat.

He said: "I can have an apple, I can eat a bit of melon. As long as you're sensible about it, it doesn't shoot your blood sugar up. But what I crave is chocolate and ice cream, I can't have any ice cream."

He added: "If I had a death row meal, it wouldn't contain anything except sweets, because I can't eat them now. So, I'd have ice cream, donuts, apple pie, rhubarb crumble."

The star appeared in Global Citizen's "Together At Home" virtual charity concert in 2020 (Image: Getty)

Prostate cancer

In 2017, Elton was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He chose surgery over chemotherapy, not wanting the disease "hanging over" his family.

However, after his cancer treatment, the Sacrifice star developed an infection that he claimed brought him "24 hours from death". In his memoir, Me, Elton wrote that the surgery in Los Angeles was a "complete success", but he noticed something was off 10 days later.

"It turned out that I had a rare complication from the operation."

After spending 11 days in a London hospital, he recalled lying awake at night "wondering if I was going to die," Elton continued: "In the hospital, alone at the dead of night, I'd prayed: please don't let me die, please let me see my kids again, please give me a little longer."

making his solo debut in 1969, Elton became one of the biggest stars of the Seventies (Image: mirrorpix)

Hip surgery

Elton John had to postpone the 2021 dates of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour due to a hip injury he sustained after an unfortunate fall on a hard surface. The singer revealed that despite intensive physiotherapy and specialist treatment, the pain was worsening and causing increasing mobility issues.

He said: "I have been advised to have an operation as soon as possible to get me back to full fitness and make sure there are no long-term complications."

After undergoing surgery and facing further delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Elton didn't return to the stage until 2023.